Atlanta Writing Workshop:
March 15, 2025
In-Person Writers Conference

PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:

Kristen Terrette is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. Kristen is a literary manager excited to continue to build her list featuring titles in young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers/mysteries/suspense, romance, women’s fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, nonfiction, and faith-based books. And she is also looking for more illustrators.Learn more about Kristen here as well her extremely detailed wishlist.

Brandy Vallance is a literary agent with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. “I represent these genres but I am also not limited to these genres: historical fiction, historical romance, historical mystery, romance, literary, women’s fiction, Southern fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, adventure, speculative, inspirational, thriller. I’m a fan of: atmospheric writing; stories set in the British Isles, Europe, or exotic locations; Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian romance; Victorian time period in general (other centuries are welcome too); archaeology / artifacts / history’s mysteries; stories that explore Biblical themes without being preachy (ex. Charles Martin books); Appalachian stories / mountain culture; fantasy & sci-fi in almost every sub-category; characters who are writers, artists, or have a unique profession; and more.” Learn more about Brandy here.

Arianna Siddiqui is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. At this time, Arianna is particularly drawn to mysteries, romance, and speculative fiction across young adult and adult audiences. She’s also open to adult nonfiction that explores unique narratives or perspectives. Though more selective about nonfiction, Arianna seeks projects with strong, distinctive voices that offer new insights or perspectives. She’s particularly drawn to narrative-driven works that blend memoir, cultural commentary, or history in compelling and original ways. Learn more about Arianna here.

Lauren Liebow is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Lauren is interested in representing authors across literary and upmarket fiction as well as nonfiction. In fiction, she is drawn to projects that feature voice-driven narratives and is most fascinated by genre-bending novels written in beautiful prose. She’s looking for timeless stories that explore topics such as migration, family, socioeconomic inequality, and speculative worlds that also expose complicated truths about our own world. She’s also interested in working on nonfiction projects, focusing on narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative journalism. Across all genres, she’s keenly interested in books that uplift historically underrepresented voices. Learn more about Lauren here.

Alina Mitchell is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke. As a literary agent, Alina is actively looking for nonfiction in the areas of memoir, biographies, body / mind / spirit, and sports. And fiction in the areas of mystery and thriller. Alina received a Bachelor of Arts in English/Professional Writing with a minor in Business Management from Oakwood University, a Master of Arts in English & Secondary Education from the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) and an Instructional Design/eLearning Certificate from Oregon State University. Learn more about Alina here.

Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana is a literary agent with Strachan Literary Agency. In fiction, she seeks: debut fiction, romance, upmarket & commercial women’s fiction, upmarket mainstream fiction, apocalyptic, thrillers, fantasy, and upper young adult. In nonfiction, she seeks: memoir, narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, platform-driven nonfiction, diet and health, Christian spirituality, inspirational, food and cookbooks, self-help and humor. She is particularly interested in finding nonfiction authors to build her client list and is only taking on a limited amount of fiction. Marisa is currently seeking to champion new talent who create memorable characters with unforgettable words, and she has a soft spot for writers in marginalized communities and persons with disabilities. Learn more about Marisa here.

Sherri Wilson Johnson is a literary agent with Gardner Literary. “I am looking for nonfiction primarily right now, but fiction is one of my first loves, so I’m always considering it. Recently, I’ve become interested in thrillers, magical realism/speculative fiction, and really snappy rom-coms. I love anything that’s a genre smashup. I prefer books that are low on the spice meter, and for romance, closed door, please. Most of my connections are in the Christian Booksellers Association, but I’m looking for that breakout General Market book, something like a Reese Witherspoon or Oprah book club book. (Aren’t we all?) In regard to nonfiction, I am fascinated with books on neurodivergence. I also love any parenting books that are unique, money management books from a new angle, mental health books, books for Christian lifestyle, Bible studies, devotionals, etc. I’m not looking for memoir. We do look for these authors to have a fully-developed platform and/or for them to be subject matter experts.” Learn more about Sherri here.

Zoie Janelle Konneker (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Peachtree Publishing Company. “I am seeking fiction novels across middle-grade and young adult audiences. I am looking for timeless, emotive, and well-paced books.” In Middle Grade: historical fiction, contemporary, sci-fi (CYBERPUNK, steampunk, soft science fiction), fantasy (urban, animal, magical, dystopian, high fantasy), supernatural, and plenty of humor. My current priority is light-hearted historical fiction (anywhere from the 1800s to 1990s) with a unique setting and voice and/or anything magical realism. Women’s/LGBTQIA+/Black/Indigenous history and equality is a priority for me, so stories about a particular time in history that is often overlooked or whitewashed are particularly intriguing.” (That last sentence applies to YA novels too.) In Young Adult: “historical fiction (1800s – 1990s), contemporary, sci-fi (cyberpunk, steampunk, soft science fiction), fantasy (urban, animal, magical, dystopian, high fantasy with unique magic system), magical realism, supernatural, humor, romance (prefer rom-coms to dramas), retellings (of lesser-known myths/lore).” Learn more about Zoie here.

Optional Manuscript Critique Options

Add $69 — for an in-depth, personal critique of your one-page query letter from Brian Klems, one of the day’s instructors. (This rate is a special event value for Cleveland Writing Workshop attendees only.) Registrants are encouraged to take advantage of the specially-priced critique, so they can send out their query letter with confidence following the workshop. Also, if you are meeting with an agent at the event, you’re essentially speaking your query letter aloud to them. Wouldn’t it be wise to give that query letter (i.e., your pitch) one great edit before that meeting?

Add $89 — for an in-depth personal critique of the first 10 pages of your novel. Spaces with faculty for these critiques are very limited, and participating attendees will either 1) get an in-person meeting at the workshop, if the faculty member is attending the live event, or 2) get a 10-minute phone call with the faculty member, and have notes passed along via email, if the critiquer is not attending the live event. Options:

• Women’s, mainstream, science fiction, fantasy, romance, crime, thriller, mystery (virtual critiques): Faculty member Michelle McGill-Vargas, a writing coach and author, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Commercial women’s fiction, thriller/suspense, thriller with romantic elements, cozy mystery, YA thriller, young adult in general, middle-grade, literary fiction, and fantasy (virtual critiques): Faculty member Amberly Finarelli, a former literary agent and current writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• Children’s picture books (virtual critiques): Faculty member Rosie Pova, a published author, will get your work in advance, critique your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime around the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. If you submit a picture book, it must be 1,000 words or fewer (can have illustrations or not).
• Young adult, middle grade, romance, upmarket/literary, women’s fiction, fantasy, paranormal, children’s picture books; in nonfiction, self-help or inspirational by women (virtual critiques): Faculty member Lindsay Flanagan, a published novelist and former agent, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting. For picture books, text should be 1,000 words or fewer; and it can or cannot include illustrations.
• Memoir (virtual critiques): Faculty member Kimiko Nakamura, a literary agent and writing coach, will get your work in advance, critique the first 10 double-spaced pages of your book, meet with you online (Zoom, etc.) or by phone for 15 minutes sometime before the workshop to discuss her thoughts, and pass along written critique notes before or after the meeting.
• More critique options possibly forthcoming